Raila Odinga
Legend has it that the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga begged then President Moi to be allowed to be president just for a day.
That story is NOT true. Just part of the persistent propaganda onslaught designed to completely neutralize any political clout that our beloved Luo brethren may ever have amongst their fellow Kenyans. When historians finally sit down to analyze this community they will have to acknowledge the many years when they have been the only opposition (albeit ineffective) to the rise of impunity and bad, selfish get-rich-quick-governance in Kenya.
But those who are superstitious never lose an opportunity to point to a fascinating incident that took place in the early sixties that had such a huge impact on the future of Kenya and her politics. The Luo community was bang in the middle of it.
Even those of us who do not believe in such mambo jumbo cannot help but sit up and pay attention to this tale and wonder if there is something to it. After all Raila Odinga won the presidential elections convincingly in 2007 but never moved into State house. Instead he could only play second fiddle in what was supposed to be a power sharing arrangement. Surely even if you do not believe in curses there has to be something going on when a person wins the presidency but circumstances develop that make it impossible for them to get justice let alone take over the reigns of power. And even now based on the information I have it is unlikely that Raila will ascend to the presidency. My deep and sincere apologies to those who are CORDed and reading this but my readers expect me to say things without fear or favour.
And so the question Kenyans need to ask themselves is what will Raila do if the Supreme court ruling does not favour him? What new role in politics can this great champion of democracy who has fought so much for justice in our country find?
What actually happened in the early 60s? I discuss that tale of deceit amid a fierce struggle for power in my latest raw notes and give an indication of the impact it will have in the landmark Supreme court ruling that Kenyans are holding their collective breaths for.
For the sake of the process of healing in Kenya it would be nice if a fresh new presidential candidate from the community offered themselves for the presidency in 2018 and had realistic chances of winning. 2018 may seem like it is a very long time to come, but how times fly.
Interestingly looking around from where I sit, that man may be one Evans Kidero, the governor elect of Nairobi County. Regular readers of my raw notes will know that there is a lot I don’t like about the man and with good reason (not malicious or personal). But I am also a realist and looking at how swiftly the man has adjusted from the corporate world into politics, I have to be impressed. Kidero was already doing things like getting running water (using his own funds to buy the pipes) for some city residents even as his competitors were on the campaign trail vomiting empty words and promises. It is rather obvious that his political future is bright and Nairobians should prepare for the kind of county government that they can be truly proud of.
Don’t make me eat my words Bwana Governor.
